All is right in the Universe again =)

So here's the update on Lynn. The surgery went so much better than expected. The tumer was removed in it's entirety. This was done by performing a partial nephrectomy. 90% of her kidney was saved, Dr Malcowitz is indeed a truly skilled surgeon! A huge thanks for all of the concern and well wishes. The abundance of positivity has been so much appreciated. I'm sure that the days ahead may be tough for her as she rehabilitates but I know what was once a feeling of futility has now been replaced with hope and that is immeasurable when dealing with life and it's curveballs.

Much love to all of you tonight!

xoxo
Cindy

The Ironies of Life 7/23/08

The hail striking my window makes a ping, smack, ping kind of sound. It's quite mesmerizing... It plays a background kind of track as I'm listening to the thoughts in my head. I'm finishing the very last page of an album and I just got all choked up. I wish it were because of finishing the album or the wonderful and patient client that it's for but regrettably not. I debated posting this entry because I don't usually post too many entries of such a personal nature but I want to be able to remember exactly how it is that I feel at this very moment. I know I will look back on this day and this blog and say to myself that the weight of all of these feelings were worth bearing , whew we made it through and the feeling of survival trumps everything.

I feel hopeful, sad, anxious, terrified, strong, supportive, apprehensive, reflective, angry but most of all positive. Combining all of these together is both a lethal and toxic blend.

My best friend has Kidney Cancer. Wow, that's the first time I've actually said/written those words. You can't see it, smell it or touch it so it's existence up until this point was like imaginary. She doesn't smoke or drink. She's lives a pretty healthy life. She's the first one to help if someone is in need although she admittedly loves animals more than people. She's spent the past 10+ years working in the worst of neighborhoods in Philly as a police officer risking her life everyday trying to keep the streets safer with little to no thanks from the impoverished communities that she works in..... Yet it's not a bullet, a drug dealer or some other crazy thug that is attacking her. It's Cancer.

The reality struck me as I received a text saying, " I have 2 be at the hospital at 7am 4 admission..." I got that text as I finished page 60 of this album. So tomorrow bright and early I will be off to the hospital - only I won't show any remnants of the vulnerability that I feel now. Just stoic strength and support while I wait as she has part of if not all of one of her kidneys removed.

I have spent the better part of my life capturing the moments that take our breaths away. Yet days like today make me breathless and moments like now help me to remember why the good times are so very good. So spend a little more time today savoring in the moments with your loved ones, marinate yourselves in them, squeeze them a little tighter, hold them a little longer and most of all be present...

This is the T-shirt she's wearing to the hospital tomorrow. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw it. It's true too, Cancer did pick the wrong Bitch. I told Lynn the other day that she was quite possibly the most stubborn person that I have ever known in my life and that she was a gazillion times more stubborn than Cancer could ever be.


I think this t-shirt should replace her uniform that she wears in to work. Do you think the city of Philadelphia will approve. Ha, ha probably not huh.

The website I found these T-shirts is Chucklenut Shirts
I'm a firm believer of the power of positivity so rather than feel powerless I think that humor and positivity go along way in fighting battles and winning them.

Voting Starts today!!!!

Hello all of you wonderful people! We are in the thick of wedding season and I am crazy busy working on E-sessions, Weddings, Edits, Albums. Thanks so much for your patience and support!

Voting for the Best Photographer category starts today so if you loved my service and would like to see me win Please Please Please vote =) Send all your friends and Family the link as well if they were in your wedding or want to support me.

Thanks a bunch!

XOXOXO
~ Cindy

Click here to vote

Laura and Craig - The E-session 6-29-08

Strolling around today with Laura and Craig shooting their E-Session proves to be a very entertaining experience. We would walk a bit, pop into some deserted alleyway and boom all of a sudden people would appear. It was the craziest thing ever. Everywhere we went cars and people would suddenly come out of nowhere and watch us shoot, them kiss, walk in shots etc.... We were like magnets =) Laura and Craig are so down to earth and sweet that you can't help but like them. For the record, I disagree wholeheartedly with Craigs opinion of being completelely not photogenic. Quite the contrary, today both of your smiles, love and your laughter inspire me and you look gorgeous together!

Voting begins on July 21st!!!!!

That's right! One of you nominated me and now I have the opportunity to be voted as one of the Philadelphia areas "Best" businesses. Not only am I flattered but I am so thankful that I have amazing clients!!!! So starting on the 21st and running for 8 weeks people will have the opportunity to vote for their faves in tons of categories. I will be posting the link on where you can go online to vote. SO I'm counting on you all to vote for me =)

Thanks so much for all of your continued support. I truly love being able to do the work I'm doing and can't express my gratitude enough!

~xoxoxo
Cindy

The Wedding of Kim and Erion 6-28-08

I love when things just fall in place. It's like okay, cue lovely window light...Good, Good. Next cue Beautiful bride and lovely room light...Good, Good. Now cue wind and rain to go away and clouds to diffuse the sun for the ceremony...Good, Good. The entire day was brilliantly executed, every detail that Kim and Erion planned out looked just perfect. Friends and family have traveled from as far as Albania to be a part of their day. The joy and love was so apparent amongst all who attended. Kim was radiant and Eri so handsome, together they really made a stunning couple. The way that Eri looked at Kim when the vows were spoken says it all... Today is filled with happiness and celebration and tomorrow will bring the begining of your future together as a new family. I wish you both much love and also a tinge of jealousy as you spend the next few weeks in Thailand!

Kendall - The baby Session 6-23-08

Ahhh, little baby toes and hands, they have to be the cutest things in the world next to puppies. Today my first session of the morning is with Kendall. She is a few weeks old and it's her first session. I photographed her big sis Quinn 2 years ago as an infant. So much excitement today and although we thought that Kendall did not particularly like being a model today she did share with me a few precious smiles! Quinn took a break from playing with the bubbles to share in a few tender moments with her new baby sister. I love the feel of the image of Quinn holding Kendall's hand while looking out the door. I feel that it's the serenity of a mere moment that impacts your memory. Thank you girls for the moments you share today. I hope as you look back when you are older they will invoke the sense of sisterhood that you share.

Kristen and Brian - The E-session 6-23-08

Summer light, beautifully colored casts of amber just wrapping their warmth around you. It's like a gentle hug from the sun. Just like when someone who loves you wraps there arms around you and you feel the soft squeeze and closeness that ensues. If you have ever been hugged like this you know the endorphins that flow through you give you this sense of love, safety, closeness and excitement. This is also similar to what I feel when the session changes from the connection towards me and the camera to a connection towards each other. Not everyone can be comfortable or accustomed to being in front of the camera and the world displaying affection. My goal is to spend some time with you and just let you enjoy each other and forget about the camera and everything else if only for a few sweet moments. Kristen and Brian, your enthusiasm and excitement fuels my fire and I love the beautiful images we captured. The smiles you give each other are so very infectious!

Dina and John - The E-session 6-22-08

There seemed to be a whole lot of cross-checking going on today as the match up between the Rangers and the Flyers heated up! I'm thinking that they both won ;) Today Dina and John came down from New York to Dina's old stomping grounds here in Philly. I'm so glad that they did because we had such a great shoot. The chemistry that they share is so obvious to anyone within a bazillion miles of them. I just loved the natural way that they interact. I could look away for just a moment and miss a loving gesture or cute smile. Lucky for me there was no rationing of these tender moments. Thank you both for sharing with me your trust and beautiful relationship!

The Wedding of Eric and Jen 6/21/08

A beautiful day to shoot a Wedding in Avalon! I love, love, love the colors and details. Fun and vibrant Gerbera Daisies, the coolest seashells on a cake ever, seersucker suits, adorable bridesmaid dresses and of course the handsome groom and gorgeous bride! It was a wonderful way to spend the day. I love how Eric and Jen take everything in stride. It was such a stress free and pleasurable experience. Bright sun, time lines no problem! We even had a free moment to partake in some water ice on this warm June day. I love how natural and effortlessly Eric smiles and how Jen can be so sweet all of the time no matter what. Their interaction with each other and their friends just makes me smile =) Whether it was a quiet moment with each other or jumping on stage to belt out tunes these guys sure know how to make memories and plenty of photo opps for me. Yay!

Kristin Graduates =) 6/19/08

As I walk through the day to day aspects of life I forget the value of stopping on occasion to take in the scenery and reflect on where I'm at. Relatively of course, where I'm at in life, the people in my life and sometimes just where I'm at... Today my baby graduates High School. It really didn't hit me until last night. I was writing out one of her cards and a myriad of emotions and memories hit me like the weight of dry heat on a scorching summer day. I got really emotional as my eyes welled up with tears. The comprehension that my beautiful baby girl has grown into such a lovely young woman and is graduating, soon to be 18 and driving. The time has gone by without so much as a blink or a warning. I really believe that we should have life warnings. You know maybe Steve Jobbs can program them into our ipods or iphones. Just little warnings like - Hey now would be a good time to hug your kid or yo, make sure you eat dinner together tonight or stop holding her hand she's 17 and can cross the street on her own... Seriously though, a little warning would sure help us out from time to time and serve as reminders that whether you want it to or not, life happens. So here's to you Kristin! To the child that you were and to the woman that you are becoming! I love you and am so very proud of you and no matter what path you choose to travel you will always find my support whether it be in mind, body or spirit. Enjoy these days sweetie pie they only come around once.